Longmont Symphony Orchestra

What Longmont Symphony Orchestra does

The Longmont Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community symphony founded in 1966 in Longmont, Colorado, currently led by Music Director Elliot Moore (in his 9th season) and Executive Director Sara Parkinson, with a five-to-seven-person administrative staff and approximately 59 professional musicians on roster. The orchestra performs roughly 15 events per season at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium at Skyline High School and ancillary venues (Longmont Museum, Longmont Public Library, Thompson Park), anchored by seven mainstage Masterworks and Pops concerts, the annual Nutcracker produced with Boulder Ballet, a free July 4th Concert in the Park, a sensory-friendly Gentle Nutcracker, candlelight and family concerts, and free 5th-grade concerts reaching over 2,400 students in the St. Vrain Valley School District annually. Beyond concerts, LSO operates an education portfolio including the Mentors in Music program, the Side-by-Side partnership with Longmont Youth Symphony, the Mary Alice Tonkinson Concerto Competition for high-school musicians, and co-sponsored college music scholarships.

The organization sustains an approximate $700,000 annual operating budget (self-disclosed) through five revenue streams: ticket sales (subscription tiers Complete $70-$302, Mainstage $50-$216, FLEX $30-$129, plus single tickets $10-$62 including Nutcracker $30-$62), tiered individual donations from Turquoise ($50-$499) up to Diamond ($15,000+), tiered business sponsorships from Copper ($100-$499) to Platinum ($10,000+), a Sponsor-a-Chair program ($2,400 section chair to $11,000 concertmaster), and ancillary events such as the Guild Annual Garden Tour at $30/person plus a $75 House Concert format. Legacy giving is also available via IRA rollovers and bequests. The Longmont Symphony Guild, founded 1968 as an affiliated support entity, has raised over $125,000 in the past decade and runs fundraising events.

Distribution is primarily direct via the LSO website (longmontsymphony.org) and patron.longmontsymphony.org ticketing, supplemented by in-person box offices at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium and Longmont Museum, email newsletter, organic social (Facebook, Instagram), local press coverage (Times-Call), and community partnerships. The serving market is strictly Longmont and surrounding Northern Colorado / Front Range; there is no geographic expansion signal outside this single metro. Strategic emphasis for the 60th anniversary 2026-27 season is artistic differentiation through world premieres, commissioning living women composers, and community-inclusive formats (sensory-friendly, free family-friendly programming), with governance provided by a Board of Directors under President Tim O'Neill.

Name

Longmont Symphony Orchestra

Legal name

Longmont Symphony Orchestra

Website

https://longmontsymphony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Longmont Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community symphony founded 1966 in Longmont, Colorado, presenting about 15 live orchestral performances per season (masterworks, pops, Nutcracker with Boulder Ballet, July 4th concert, sensory-friendly concerts) plus music education programs reaching 2,400+ 5th graders annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Symphony Orchestra / Performing Arts

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Live orchestral performances
• Music education programs
• Community concert series
• Classical music presentations
• Youth music outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Longmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and subscription packages for concert performances. Mainstage Subscription ranges $50-$216, Complete Subscription ranges $70-$302, single tickets from $10-$62. Includes Nutcracker performances and special events.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals at various levels: Turquoise ($50-$499), Opal ($500-$999), Sapphire ($1,000-$3,999), Emerald ($4,000-$7,999), Ruby ($8,000-$14,999), Diamond ($15,000+)
3. Business Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship program with Copper ($100-$499), Bronze ($500-$1,999), Silver ($2,000-$5,999), Gold ($6,000-$9,999), and Platinum ($10,000+) levels offering various recognition benefits.
4. Chair Sponsorship: Sponsor-a-Chair program allowing donors to sponsor specific orchestra chairs ranging from Section Chair ($2,400) to Concertmaster Chair ($11,000)
5. Special Events: Revenue from special events including the Annual Garden Tour ($30/person) and Guild events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Longmont Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit community orchestra that produces and presents live orchestral performances, including a masterworks subscription series, pops concert, family concert, candlelight concert, the annual Nutcracker ballet co-produced with Boulder Ballet, the free July 4th Concert in the Park, and sensory-friendly Gentle Nutcracker performances. It complements performances with music education programs (5th grade concerts, instrument mentorship, scholarships, concerto competition) and community engagement activities. Ticket sales, individual and corporate donations, chair sponsorships, and foundation support sustain operations.

Product overview

The Longmont Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit performing arts organization offering a portfolio of live orchestral performances and community music programs. The core offering consists of approximately 15 annual performances including season concerts (masterworks, pops, family, and candlelight concerts), the annual Nutcracker Ballet with Boulder Ballet, and the free July 4th Concert in the Park. Education programs include the Annual 5th Grade Concert reaching 2,400+ students, Mentors in Music, Side-by-Side Performances with Longmont Youth Symphony, the Mary Alice Tonkinson Concerto Competition, and Music Scholarships. Community engagement encompasses sensory-friendly concerts, senior center performances, pop-up concerts, and ticket outreach for underserved populations. Revenue is generated through ticket sales (single tickets and subscription packages), individual and business donations (with tiered benefits), the Sponsor-A-Chair program, legacy giving, and volunteer programs. The LSO Guild supports fundraising through events including the Annual Garden Tour.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Season Concerts & Events Mainstage orchestral performances including masterworks, pops, family concerts, and candlelight concerts presented at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium and other venues throughout the year, for general audiences and families in the Longmont community.
• The Nutcracker Annual holiday ballet production performed in collaboration with Boulder Ballet, featuring evening and afternoon performances plus a sensory-friendly Gentle Nutcracker version. Family holiday entertainment for the Longmont and Front Range community.
• July 4th Concert in the Park Free annual community concert at Thompson Park featuring patriotic music, picnicking, and traditional 1812 Overture with cannons. Open to the general public as a free community celebration.
• Gentle Nutcracker Sensory-friendly abridged version of the Nutcracker Ballet designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities, autism, or other special needs and their families. Tickets priced at $26 per person.
• Annual 5th Grade Concert Free concerts at Vance Brand Civic Auditorium reaching over 2,400 fifth-grade students in St. Vrain Valley School District, introducing them to live symphony orchestra performances. Provided free of charge to schools.
• Mentors in Music LSO musicians mentor middle school and high school students in the St. Vrain Valley School District to help them master musical instruments and advance their music education.
• Mary Alice Tonkinson Concerto Competition Annual competition for high school students (grades 9-12) from the Front Range and Northern Colorado, supporting pursuit of musical education and providing performance opportunities with the LSO.
• Music Scholarships Scholarships for high school seniors pursuing college education in music, including the Gary L. Dicks Memorial Scholarship, Ray Parnaby Memorial Scholarship, and Margaret Spangler Music Performance and Education Scholarships, co-sponsored with the Nancy L. Nixon Foundation.
• Community Programs Community engagement offerings including pop-up concerts at downtown events and parks, senior center performances, sensory-friendly concerts, ticket outreach programs for underserved populations, and the free July 4th community concert.
• Donation Programs Individual and business donation programs with tiered benefits from Turquoise ($50-$499) to Diamond ($15,000+) for individuals, and Copper ($100-$499) to Platinum ($10,000+) for businesses. Provides tax-deductible charitable giving opportunities to support LSO operations and programs.
• Sponsor-A-Chair Program Season-long sponsorship of specific orchestra chairs ranging from Section Chair ($2,400) to Concertmaster Chair ($11,000), with recognition in concert programs and on the website for donors supporting individual musicians.
• LSO Guild Annual Garden Tour Annual self-guided tour through Longmont gardens with live music performances by LSO musicians at select locations, run by the Longmont Symphony Guild as a fundraiser for the orchestra ($30 per person, valid for both days).

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches over 2,400 5th grade students annually through free school concerts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boulder BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership for The Nutcracker ballet performances with Boulder Ballet providing choreography and dancers while LSO provides live orchestral music. Also partners on sensory-friendly performances.
• Longmont Youth SymphonyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSide-by-side performance partnership where Longmont Youth Symphony musicians join LSO for the annual Family Concert in January.
• St. Vrain ChoruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership for 2026-27 season with the newly-formed St. Vrain Chorus for choral masterworks programs including Mozart's Vesperae solennes de Confessore and Bach's Magnificat.
• City of LongmontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity sponsorship for July 4th community concert at Thompson Park. City provides park venue and support for the annual free community celebration.
• Dickens House LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides cannons for the annual 1812 Overture grand finale during July 4th concert in Thompson Park.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Steamboat Springs Orchestra: Regional orchestra serving the Steamboat Springs, CO area with similar community-orchestra programming. Comparable in scale and nonprofit structure, but operates in a resort community rather than Longmont's suburban Longmont corridor.
• Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra: Wyoming-based regional symphony orchestra with comparable size, programming mix, and nonprofit structure. Comparable as a similar-tier community orchestra but operates across a state border with distinct donor and audience geography.

Broad incumbents

• Colorado Symphony: Denver-based professional symphony with a multi-million dollar budget, year-round programming, and broader regional draw. Comparable in product category (orchestral performances and education) but materially larger and serving a broader metro geography.

Direct peers

• Denver Philharmonic Orchestra: Denver-based community orchestra presenting subscription classical concerts. Comparable as a Colorado nonprofit orchestra competing for overlapping donor and subscriber pools in the Front Range market.
• Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra: Regional nonprofit symphony orchestra based in Boulder, CO, presenting multi-concert seasons, education programs, and donor-supported operations. Highly comparable to LSO in mission, scale, and Front Range Colorado geography.
• Colorado Music Festival: Boulder-based summer festival presenting symphonic concerts featuring professional musicians. Comparable as a Front Range classical music producer but differentiated by seasonal versus year-round operating model.
• Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra: Northern Colorado regional symphony orchestra operating similar subscription and education programming. Comparable as a small-budget nonprofit orchestra serving a single Front Range community.
• Fort Collins Symphony: Nonprofit community symphony orchestra in Fort Collins, CO, presenting classical subscription seasons and youth education programs. Closely comparable in budget tier, programming mix, and community-anchored nonprofit structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/longmontsymph
• Facebookfacebook.com/longmontsymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/longmont-symphony-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Longmont Symphony Orchestra